Looking to give back in the Burlington area? Chittenden County offers an incredible array of volunteer opportunities that match every interest, skill set, and schedule. Whether you’re passionate about feeding your neighbors, protecting Vermont’s natural beauty, supporting people in need, or caring for animals, there’s a perfect volunteer role waiting for you. Here’s your guide to making a meaningful impact right in your own backyard.
The list below is far from comprehensive, but it’s a great glimpse of the possibilities. To find even MORE organizations doing good in the community, search on Samaritan Scout’s free search platform today!
Fighting Hunger & Supporting Those in Need
When it comes to addressing food insecurity and poverty in our community, these organizations are doing vital work and always need dedicated volunteers:
- Feeding Champlain Valley – The regional food bank working to end hunger throughout our area. Volunteers help sort donations, pack food boxes, and support distribution efforts.
- The Vermont Foodbank – Vermont’s largest hunger-relief organization, coordinating food distribution across the state and offering hands-on volunteer opportunities.
- North End Food Pantry – A neighborhood-focused pantry where volunteers can directly assist families accessing nutritious food.
- Winooski Food Shelf – Serving the Winooski community with emergency food assistance and opportunities to volunteer in a close-knit setting.
- One Community Dinner – Bringing people together over shared meals, volunteers help prepare, serve, and build community connections.
- Burlington Farmers Market and Winooski Farmers Market – Support local agriculture and food access by helping at these vibrant community markets.
- Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) – Vermont’s largest homeless services agency needs volunteers to support people experiencing homelessness with meals, shelter operations, and compassionate assistance.
Protecting Our Environment & Outdoor Spaces
Vermont’s stunning natural environment needs stewards, and these organizations offer meaningful ways to give back to the land we love:
- Burlington Wildways – Protect and restore Burlington’s urban wild spaces through habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and conservation projects.
- Intervale Center – Get your hands dirty at this community farm hub, supporting sustainable agriculture, composting programs, and farm-based education.
- Lake Champlain Land Trust – Conserve the landscapes surrounding Lake Champlain through trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and land stewardship.
- Friends of the Winooski – Protect and celebrate the Winooski River watershed through clean-up events, monitoring, and advocacy.
- Local Motion – Promote biking and walking in our community while maintaining the Island Line Trail and supporting active transportation.
- Vermont Youth Conservation Corps – Support young people in environmental service while helping with conservation projects across the state.
- Vermont State Parks – Volunteer at your favorite state park, helping with maintenance, visitor services, and special events.
- Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Department of Watershed Management – Contribute to wildlife monitoring, habitat restoration, and water quality protection.
- Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont – Support organic farming education and sustainable agriculture throughout the region.
- Vermont Garden Network – Help expand food access through community gardens and gardening education programs.
Supporting People in Our Community
Some of the most rewarding volunteer work involves directly helping your neighbors. These organizations support people of all ages and abilities:
Older Adults:
- Age Well – Help seniors maintain independence through friendly visits, meal delivery, and transportation assistance.
- Council on Aging – Support programs that help older Vermonters age with dignity and connection.
- Heineberg Community Senior Center – Brighten the days of seniors through activities, meals, and companionship.
- Cathedral Square – Support affordable senior housing communities with programs and activities.
Health & Wellness:
- Brain Injury Alliance Vermont – Support individuals and families affected by brain injury through programs and advocacy.
- Cancer Support Foundation – Provide comfort and practical support to cancer patients and their families.
- The Janet S. Munt Family Room – Create a welcoming space for families with children in the hospital.
- Ronald McDonald House Burlington VT – Support families with seriously ill children by helping with meals, hospitality, and house operations.
- Sail Beyond Cancer – Help cancer survivors and fighters experience the healing power of sailing (chapters in Annapolis, Newport, North Shore MA, and Virginia).
- University of Vermont Health – Volunteer in various hospital and healthcare settings to support patients and families.
Housing & Justice:
- Burlington Dismas House – Support formerly incarcerated individuals in their reintegration through community living.
- Burlington Community Justice Center – Promote restorative justice and help people make amends while building a safer community.
- Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity – Build affordable housing alongside future homeowners.
Children & Youth:
- Howard Center – Vermont’s largest mental health and substance abuse services provider needs volunteers across many programs.
- Spectrum Youth and Family Services – Support at-risk youth and families through mentoring, crisis services, and housing programs.
- Girls on the Run VT – Inspire girls to be confident and healthy through running-based programs.
- Dream Program – Mentor refugee and immigrant youth in their educational journey.
- Camp Exclamation Point – Support children experiencing grief and loss through camp programs.
- Grand Isle County Mentoring Program – Build lasting relationships with young people through one-on-one mentoring.
- Special Olympics Vermont – Help athletes with intellectual disabilities train and compete in sports.
Community Resources:
- Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources (CIDER) – Support island communities with transportation, food access, and essential services.
- Hinesburg Community Resource Center – Help neighbors access food, emergency aid, and community connections.
- Special Services Transportation Agency – Assist with transportation for seniors and people with disabilities.
- King Street Center – Support programs for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
- Turning Point Center of Chittenden County – Create a welcoming recovery community for people overcoming addiction.
- Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community – Work on collective impact initiatives addressing community health challenges.
- Aunt Dot’s Place – Support LGBTQ+ youth through safe, affirming programs and community.
Caring for Animals
Animal lovers can find fulfilling volunteer opportunities with these organizations:
- Humane Society of Chittenden County – Walk dogs, socialize cats, assist with adoption events, and help animals find their forever homes.
- Vermont English Bulldog Rescue – Support the rescue and rehoming of English Bulldogs in need.
- Queen City Cats – Care for adoptable cats in daily lounge shifts, transport cats to vet appointments, table at community events, create handmade fundraising items, or help with marketing and data entry to support this cat rescue and adoption center.
Arts, Culture & Community Enrichment
Enrich our community’s cultural life through these creative and educational organizations:
- Burlington City Arts – Support arts programming, exhibitions, and community creativity.
- Fletcher Free Library – Help with programs, shelving, technology assistance, and literacy initiatives.
- Echo Leahy Center – Inspire young scientists and visitors at this aquarium and science center.
- Ethan Allen Homestead Museum – Share Vermont history through tours, events, and educational programs.
- Chittenden County Historical Society – Preserve and share local history through archives, exhibits, and research.
- Champlain Island Farmers Market – Connect farmers and community members while supporting local food systems.
Sustainable Living & Community Resources
Help build a more sustainable and resilient community:
- Old Spokes Home – Repair and redistribute bikes while teaching bike maintenance skills.
- Pedals for Progress – Collect and send bikes to people in developing nations.
- Repair Cafe – Help fix broken items, reduce waste, and build repair skills in the community.
- Let’s Grow Kids – Advocate for accessible, affordable, high-quality childcare.
- Green Mountain United Way – Support collective impact work addressing poverty, education, and health.
- Vermont Agency of Natural Resources – Contribute to environmental protection and natural resource management across the state.
Going Beyond the List: Finding Your Perfect Volunteer Match
While the organizations in Scout’s platform offer wonderful opportunities, sometimes the best volunteer experience comes from reaching out directly to an organization you’re passionate about, even if they don’t have formal volunteer listings.
Here’s how to find your unique volunteer niche:
Many nonprofits need help with projects that don’t make it onto their volunteer pages. Maybe you have graphic design skills, grant writing experience, social media expertise, or you’re willing to tackle a specific project that would make a real difference. Don’t be afraid to reach out!
We recommend starting at Samaritan Scout’s Vermont Organizations page, which lists all the organizations in our database and is searchable by keyword. This comprehensive list helps you discover nonprofits working on causes you care about throughout Vermont. Once you find an organization that resonates with you, visit their website to learn about their mission, then send a thoughtful email or make a phone call explaining:
- What draws you to their work
- What skills or interests you could bring
- Whether you’re looking for one-time projects or ongoing involvement
- Your availability and time commitment
Many organizations will be thrilled to work with you to create a volunteer role that matches your talents with their needs. You might end up doing something completely unique that makes a lasting impact!
Ready to Get Started?
Burlington and Chittenden County are filled with passionate people and organizations doing incredible work. Whether you have two hours a month or ten hours a week, there’s a place for you to make a difference. Pick an organization that speaks to your heart, reach out, and discover the joy of giving back to this wonderful community we call home.
Your neighbors need you. The environment needs you. The animals need you. And you might just find that volunteering gives back to you as much as you give to others.
Happy volunteering, Burlington!
